Chapter 643

4/16/2023

Raquette River

doggie likes

On a whim we drove up to view Buttermilk Falls on the Raquette River which flows into Long Lake to Tupper Lake and eventually the Saint Lawerence River at Massena. The day was spectacular at 75 degrees for a mid April Sunday.

The roar and power of the water flow was exhilirating for us and our furry friend. The spray and the mist was refreshing. Another couple was excited to tell and show us a picture of a young Bobcat they photoed crossing the road that morning. 

The view of the river upstream coming from Forked Lake and the lower Adirondack peaks was excellent from the drone. The scenery is beautiful just driving through these Adirondack byways, but the drone can get a unique perspective.

Launching from "Wild" areas is legal but not from "Wilderness" areas (technically speaking). This is "Sargent Ponds Wild Forest" with "Whitney Wilderness" far off. The main thing is to not annoy. 

Thirty miles downstream below Tupper Lake on this same Raquette River was the site of my whitewater canoe adventure in the 1975 chapter 133. 

That was one of the highlights of my canoeing life. So glad I risked taking a camera to remember and savor those feelings. It's funny how 50 years cans slip away so quickly.

I launched from the trail head to Blue Mt in the foreground, just up from the Adirondack Museum. Raquette Lakes in the background, Lake Durant to the left a pond on right. Ten miles into the distance is Twitchell Lake; home to one of the DEC's environmental contributors.

Famed Adirondack Woodsman and environmental author  Anne La Bastille retreated to a primitive 12 x 12 foot cabin she built on Twitchell Lake.

She studied piano and ballet before getting her phD in Wildlife Ecology from Cornell. She was the first National Audubon guide as well as a National Parks and NYS guide (video link captures nicely). After her hectic lifestyle married to a busy Adirondack Inn Keeper failed she sought the solitude of the remote cabin to begin her "Woodswoman" series of publications.

Colleen and Schatzie went a ways up this trail to Blue Mt itself while I droned. Schatzie was extremely excited to the point of dangerously pulling her off the rocky trail. Sometimes you just gotta unleash.  I did this hike in 2009 I recalled after checking my chapters. Lake Durand on right.

Not being one of the "big name" peaks has it's advantages. There was only a sparse crowd of about a half dozen cars in the parking lot on this beautiful day.

I did this hike in 2009 I recalled after checking my chapters. It's a 4 mile roundtrip to the top of not a 46er high peak just under 4000 foot elevation. Didn't have any spectacular shots only this composite selfie from the top firetower on that warm September day . Blue Mountain Lake, headwaters of the Raquette Lake background & Forked Lake.

It's not a difficult hike but is a workout with the rewarding view from the firetower.

It's great to be up in this natural environment but takes an effort to get there. On the down side, winters are harsh and services are sparse. Sad to say it's just not really a place you want to spend all winter at but only to visit on occasion I think.